Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Shabby Chic Storage - Chippy & Distressed

Once upon a time there was an artist. She was surrounded by wonderful people in her life who believed in her, so much so that when she put her mind to it she could create just about anything! This is how I felt with this sweet and stunning shabby piece I am sharing with you today. I personally am not an extremely shabby person though I like a soft distressing now and then. So this one was a challenge for me.

Meet Cinderella, her name was chosen from the rags to riches story because I truly feel that was what this cabinet went through. She was a cleaning supply storage cabinet in a bathroom before I got her.

I feel like her fairy godmother and my paint brush is my magic wand. She is glistening in her Shabbiness now. Though the Shabby Paints Shimmer Paints and Glazes probably have something to do with that too.

Want to know how to create this Look? Keep reading for my step by step tutorial...

Step A: Clean... with Vinegar/Water (50/50 mix) and a splash of blue dawn, rinse with water and a clean microfiber cloth.

Step B: Sand... and scuff up the surface to help the paint have something to hold onto, since this is not real wood. Wipe it down with a damp microfiber cloth to collect all the dust.

A watered down later of Hazelnut ReVax and scrape off while wet with a metal or hard plastic putty knife, exposing the darker brown & bronze layers underneath. Work quickly and in small sections!

Used more Hazelnut ReVax with a small artist's brush to shade and darken corners and under the tops of the shelves and overhangs.

Went back in with a smaller brush and added some Black ReVax to darken the corners and under the overhangs even more.

Shabby Chic Definition:

"Shabby chic (pronounced: "sheek") is a form of interior design where furniture and furnishings are either chosen for their appearance of age and signs of wear and tear or where new items are distressed to achieve the appearance of an antique" - Wikipedia

If only the world could now how much work it takes to make something this old, old enough that someone may want to refinish it. LOL! I hope you have a wonderful day and a blessed weekend. Thank you all very much for stopping by!

This item was entered into the "The Fab Furniture Flipin' Contest" for the month of June, I was honored to be a part of this contest last month and thrilled to be in it now. This months theme is "Shabby Chic Storage" and is sponsored by The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company. Though I was not able to use their product for this project. Take a moment to go check them out.

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Welcome everyone to my Colonial Antebellum inspired Dresser Flip. It began with this $20 dresser yard sale find. This 10 drawer find I thought was in fairly good condition aside from some deep scratches on the top that needed to be sanded out or filled. They were even kind enough to deliver it.

Once I got it home and out of their grass... I could see the work I had in store for me. The above image shows how much cosmetic work was needed to be done to the side of the footings and moldings. Most of it I was able salvage after removing 6 nails and 4 screws, all of them were driven in from the outside of the piece and were visible. The molding was in 3 pieces in the front and missing the back foot.

Repairs were made and she was brought back to life... Possibly even a grander life then she had before with the addition of the shutters to her mirror and new hardware. This dresser was inspired by the Colonial Antebellum architecture found frequently here in the south. I am in love with all the history around here that comes with being on the east coast.

Here is one full look at the before and after of what Shabby Paints can do for any piece of furniture! If you love it please make sure to take a second to comment below or Pin it to your favorite furniture board on Pinterest.

This beauty was sold in 4.5 hrs after I walked out of the store I set her up in. She is a stunning piece and I am sure going to be well admired once again.

Want to know where to get Shabby Paints? I am happy to let you know I am now a Shabby Paint's Stylist. Currently I am taking pre-orders as I await my first shipment of inventory to arrive. You can message me and flip through the colors I will have in stock on my Facebook Page: Uniquely Grace.

These items will arrive by and be ready to ship to all you fantastic people June 1st-15th! These colors are on their way so pre-orders are being accepted!We can ship APO!!!
Posted by Uniquely Grace on Wednesday, May 13, 2015

I soon will have an online store where you will be able to shop and order off of FB. If you have any questions on how much to order or how to complete a project I am always here to help. Message me at Uniquely Grace on FB and I will be happy to walk you though it.

Hop you have a fantastic Memorial Day weekend!

Shabby Paints Stylist (contact me if you would like to order paints and sealers.)

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Hello my wonderful readers! I am very excited to show you my new pride and joy. I don't know if I can part with her but I also don't think the hubby will let me keep her. LOL! She is an entry to the "The Furniture Flippin' Contest"! So leave me some love in the comments below so the judges can tell you like her as much as I do!

Meet Anastasia

The theme for this contest is "Inspired by Mom". Though the name of this piece was totally inspired by a comment my hubby made one day while I was painting. This piece was truly planned out to reflect who my mother is to me. She is quiet and reserved but once you get to know her she really "opens up". She was created with Shabby Paints Cali Taupe & Licorice Chalk Acrylic Paints with a couple of layers of Old Gold Shimmer. Sealed with a mix of 50/50 Hazelnut ReVax/Sheer Vax. It all is distressed and is more beautiful with age... just like my mom!

My mother is my rock, hence the shades of grey (yes I know... that too was the comment my hubby made... "Is that your 15 shades of grey cabinet?"). But really it was to represent the colors of greys in most stones.

This is a Jasper Cabinet secretary desk. What is my mother's profession? You guessed it... she was a secretary/receptionist most of her life. She was always so good at keeping the office in order and dealing with customers.

The damask stencil was chosen as a representation of her style... she always tried her best to find nice things for us but she, a single mother of one, always had a hard time affording them. She was a great teacher of all things frugal. She also inspired me to be an artist as a young child. I can remember seeing her work in arts and crafts and thinking "I wish I could be as good as her someday".

Now today I can honor her with this piece and how this furniture flip. Mom... look how far everything you taught me has come. I love you, thank you for all you have done for me and one day I can fully repay you a thousand times over. You deserve every last once of love and kindness.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

This was a fantastic makeover to really pull the space together. Using Shabby Paints products made it ever so easy! Now it has an almost military look about it. Which is fitting since our sitting room is decorated with military items and things from our travels.

The only thing wrong with this dresser in the before state was the finish on the top. The drawers work like a hot knife going through butter and the pulls are all there and in good condition. But it's presence in the room was just "there".

A quick hand sanding to get off all the peeling finish on the top and a good cleaning was all I needed to do for prepwork. Here is the original finish (the base before being painted black) with the new Hazelnut ReVax top finish. This was a color recipe of (1 part = 1 teaspoon):

3 parts Hazelnut re-vax

1 part old gold shimmer/water (50/50)

1/8 part Licorice

I think it is stunning and it went right over the top of all that golden yellow finish! So easy!

Next I painted the drawer fronts the same way and finished the base frame with Licorice (black) chalk paint and sealed it with the Sheer Vax by Shabby Paints. The pulls are old vintage 60's cabinet handles from ebay... but I loved the details and brass addition to the piece. I used the old holes for the pulls on the outside and drilled new holes just inside those to attach these handles.

Please let me know what you think of this piece. I am happy to answer any questions if you want to leave them in the comments or contact me on social media listed below. Thanks for reading!